Device for regulating the circulation of a coolant liquid for a heat exchanger, particularly for a motor vehicle engine charge air cooler

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for regulating the circulation of a liquid coolant for a heat exchanger, particularly for a motor vehicle engine charge air cooler, said device comprising a body configured to be attached to said exchanger, said body defining at least one liquid circulation chamber, said device further comprising a means of distributing said liquid in the chamber that allows the temperature and/or the flow rate of the liquid coolant in the exchanger to be modified.

The invention relates to a device for regulating the circulation of a coolant liquid for a heat exchanger, in particular for a motor vehicle engine charge air cooler and to the obtained heat exchanger.

In this field, exchangers, so-called charge air coolers are known, allowing heat exchange between the air charge, intended to feed the engine of the vehicle, and a coolant liquid. They comprise a heat exchange bundle defining alternating circulation channels for the air charge and for the coolant liquid. Such exchangers have the advantage of being able to be freely positioned under the hood, notably in proximity to the engine of the vehicle, unlike the charge air exchangers cooled by means of an outdoor air bundle which require being positioned in the front face of the vehicle or at the very least in proximity to an air intake.

In order to ensure thermal regulation of the air charge, today it is known how to have the air charge pass either through the exchanger, or through a by-pass circuit. In this way it is possible to modify the temperature of the air sent to the engine depending on the air fraction crossing the exchanger and on the air fraction passing through the by-pass route.

Because of the sections required for the air flow, these solutions are, however, relatively cumbersome.

The object of the invention is to find a remedy to this drawback and to propose for this purpose a device for regulating the circulation of a coolant liquid for a heat exchanger, in particular a motor vehicle engine charge air cooler, said device including a body configured so as to be attached to said exchanger, said body defining at least one chamber for circulation of the liquid, said device further comprising a means for distributing said liquid in the chamber giving the possibility of modulating the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant liquid in the exchanger.

By carrying out regulation by means of a coolant liquid circuit, the device of the invention thus gives the possibility, in a reduced size, of ensuring thermal regulation of the air charge of the exchanger. The integration of said device to the exchanger further allows a ready-to-mount module to be available.

Advantageously, said body comprises at least one inlet for said liquid in the chamber, first and second outlets of said liquid of the chamber, said first outlet being configured so as to be connected to the inlet of the exchanger, said device being configured for allowing the coolant liquid to by-pass at least partly the exchanger through said second outlet, said distribution means being configured so as to carry out a distribution of the coolant liquid between said first and second outlets of the chamber.

The device thus gives the possibility of distributing in said chamber, the flow of the liquid in circulation at the inlet between said first and second outlets of the chamber and thereby regulate the flow rate of the coolant liquid circulating in the exchanger, and thus, adjust this circulation to the needs for cooling the air charger in order to either completely cross the exchanger for cooling it, or partly passing through the exchanger for partly cooling it, or by-passing the exchanger so as not to cool it. It further gives the possibility of operating the pump for circulating the liquid at its rated speed and therefore with minimum fatigue.

Other features of the invention which may be taken together or separately are indicated hereafter:

-   -   said regulation device includes a bypass conduit connected to         said second outlet and configured so as to be connected to the         outlet of the exchanger,     -   said regulation device includes a pump for circulating the         liquid, and by doing this, gives the possibility of controlling         the circulation of the coolant liquid in the exchanger as close         as possible to the latter, in a fine adjustment,     -   said means for distributing said liquid is able to be actuated         by an actuator and to a set regulation value of the flow rate         and/or of the temperature of said liquid in the exchanger,         notably depending on the need for cooling the exchanger.     -   said device and/or the distribution means accommodate said         actuator and includes means for kinematic connection between the         actuator and the distribution means,     -   said actuator has an electric and/or pneumatic control,     -   said actuator is rotary,     -   said distribution means is a valve, in particular a valve of the         rotary type,     -   said valve includes a gate allowing said distribution of the         coolant liquid between said first and second chamber outlets,     -   said body comprises two inlets for coolant liquids of different         temperatures in the chamber, for example an inlet for a liquid         of a low temperature circuit and an inlet for a liquid of a high         temperature circuit, said distribution means being configured so         as to carry out in the chamber mixing of said liquid at a         determined temperature, for example by subordination to a         temperature sensor for the liquid in the chamber, which allows         regulation of the heat exchange in the heat exchanger according         to the temperature of the coolant liquid.     -   said body is configured so as to be connected, notably         mechanically, to the exchanger, for example to a wall of a case         or a lid or a bundle of the exchanger,     -   said body is in a single piece, for example from molding, in         particular in plastic material.

The invention also relates to a heat exchanger comprising a regulation device as described above.

According to different characteristics which may be assumed together or separately:

-   -   said exchanger includes a heat exchange bundle, said bundle         being configured for allowing inflow and outflow of said coolant         liquid on a same side of said bundle,     -   the regulation device is configured so as to be connected to the         exchanger at said same side,     -   said exchanger includes at least two boxes, one for inflow of         the liquid into the exchanger and the other for outflow of the         liquid from the exchanger, said regulation device being         configured so as to be positioned between said two boxes for         inflow and outflow of liquid in the exchanger,     -   said regulation device is configured so as to be integrated to         said boxes,     -   the exchanger comprises a lid configured so as to be assembled         to the bundle at said same side, said lid defining said liquid         inflow and outflow boxes and said body, in particular said         chamber of the regulation device,

The invention further relates to a module for admitting air for the engine of the vehicle comprising a heat exchanger as described above.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the description which follows of exemplary embodiments given as an illustration with reference to the appended figures. In these figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an air admission module for a motor vehicle according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of an air admission module according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of an air admission module according to the invention and having a pump for circulating the coolant liquid comprised in the module;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of an air admission module according to the invention and having a dual-stage exchanger and a dual regulation device;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate in a perspective view an air admission module according to the invention, respectively according to an external view and a view in which the lids of boxes of liquid of the exchanger are illustrated transparently;

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a dual regulation device, and

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a regulation device with two coolant liquid inlets at different temperatures.

In FIG. 1, an air admission module 1 for a motor vehicle according to the prior art is illustrated in FIG. 1, comprising a heat exchanger 3 forming a charge air cooler A of the engine. This module 1 is here intended to be integrated to the engine in order to feed it directly, by being added on a cylinder head of the engine, not shown, so as to distribute the cooled air A towards admission pipes of the cylinder head through an admission manifold 4 attached to the exchanger.

The exchanger 3 receives hot compressed air, for example from a turbo compressor, which enters here into the exchanger through an air intake manifold 5 of said exchanger. This air is cooled during its passing in the exchanger 3 and flows out of said exchanger at said admission manifold 4. The heat exchange takes place between the air and a coolant liquid L circulating in the exchanger. More specifically, this cooling of the air is achieved with a heat exchange bundle 7 of the exchanger, consisting of a stack of plates 8 determining between them alternating circulation channels for the air charge and for the coolant liquid. The coolant liquid L is set into circulation in the exchanger, more specifically its bundle, by means of an actuated pump 9 at a distance from the exchanger 3 as this is seen in the Figure.

An engine admission module 1 according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. The exchanger 3 is similar to that of FIG. 1.

According to the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a device 11 for regulating the circulation of the coolant liquid L in the heat exchanger 3 is positioned on the circulation path of the coolant liquid L. This device 11 is mounted on the exchanger 3, which is here provided, as this is also seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, with an inlet 13 and an outlet 15 of said coolant liquid L of a same side of the exchanger. Said device includes a body 17 configured so as to be attached to said exchanger, said body defining at least one chamber 19 for circulation of the liquid. Said device further comprises a means 12 for distributing said liquid in the chamber giving the possibility of modulating the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant liquid in the exchanger. In this way it is possible to ensure thermal regulation of the air charge with the coolant liquid, and this by means of a device integrated to the exchanger.

Said body 17 includes here an inlet 21 for said liquid in the chamber 19, a first outlet 23 and a second outlet 25 of said liquid from the chamber. Said first outlet 23 is connected to the inlet 13 of the exchanger, while the device is configured for allowing the coolant liquid to by-pass at least partly the exchanger through said second outlet 25, for example through a bypass conduit 27 of the device connected to the second outlet 25 and to the outlet 15 of the exchanger. The distribution means 12 is configured here so as to carry out distribution of said liquid in the chamber, by means of a distribution means 29, between said first and second outlets 23, 25 of the chamber, so as to distribute the liquid between the inlet 21 of the exchanger and the bypass conduit 27.

Thus, the pump 9 for circulation of the liquid, either positioned at a distance or not from the device 11, may operate under its rated conditions, while the device gives the possibility of regulating the flow rate of the coolant liquid L circulating in the exchanger 3, as close as possible to the latter in a fine adjustment, in order to adjust this circulation, according to the direction of the arrows, to the needs for cooling the air charge A so as to either completely pass through the exchanger for cooling it, or partly crossing the exchanger for partly cooling it, or by-passing the exchanger so as not to cool it. This regulation is advantageously controlled in correspondence with the need for cooling the air charge of the engine A.

Said distribution means in particular comprises a valve 12, here a three-way valve, including the chamber 19 and said means 29 for distributing said liquid, positioned in the chamber 19. This distribution means 29 is for example, a gate actuated in a rotary way in said valve chamber in order to distribute the coolant liquid L among said first and second outlets of the chamber 23, 25. This distribution of the liquid is attached to a set regulation value of the flow rate of said liquid, optionally of the temperature of the liquid in the exchanger, for example issued by a computing device of the vehicle.

Said device may comprise an actuator of said distribution means, for example provided in a housing of said body, parallel to said chamber 19. The control of the actuator is notably electric and/or pneumatic. It may be controlled by said computing device of the vehicle, in connection with the needs of the engine.

Said valve 12 is here of the rotary type. It is actuated via its distribution means 29 by the actuator which may also be rotary, notably via pinions forming a kinematic connection, which gives the valve a compact structure, easy to integrate to the regulation device.

The regulation device 11, i.e. comprising here the valve 12 and the conduit 27, is advantageously in one piece, for example from plastic material molding, as this appears in FIG. 5.

As already mentioned, said exchanger 3 includes here an inlet 13 and an outlet 15 of said coolant liquid on a same side of said bundle 7, said device 11 being configured so as to be connected to the exchanger 3 at said same side. More specifically, the exchanger includes, as aforementioned, a heat exchanger bundle 7 provided with blades 30 for circulation of said liquid and at least one column 31 for inflow of said liquid in communication with said blades, as this is seen in FIG. 6. The valve 12 may be positioned, at least through the chamber 19, in said inflow column for the liquid 31 or adjacent to the latter.

As said exchanger is more specifically in the example of the type with side inlets, it comprises two boxes 33 of liquid on a same side of the bundle, these boxes of liquid being housed for said one column 31 for inflow of the liquid in the bundle, and for the other a column 35 for outflow of the liquid of the bundle. Said valve and/or device is then configured so as to be positioned between both of said columns 31, 35 of liquid in the exchanger and/or between said boxes 33 of liquid, or even integrated to said boxes 33.

More particularly, the exchanger may comprise a lid configured so as to be assembled to the bundle 7 at said same side, said lid defining said boxes for inflow and outflow of liquid 33 and said body, notably said chamber 19 for the distribution means and/or said housing for the actuator.

The lid is connected to the exchanger, for example to the bundle 7 of the exchanger like here, to its perimeter, for example by welding, braising, crimping or other technique, or to a wall of a case or of a lid of the exchanger (not shown). Optionally, a hood 36 may be mounted, screwed, onto said body 17 as illustrated, which allows access to the distribution means 29.

As indicated above, the conduit 27 (FIG. 6) allows the coolant liquid to by-pass at least partly the exchanger 3 so as to be brought from the second outlet 25 to the outlet 15 of the exchanger.

Said conduit 27 is positioned at the upper portion of the chamber 19 and is connected to an outlet conduit 37 of the exchanger. The conduit 27 may further be connected to said box 33 for outflow of the liquid.

It should be noted that said valve is preferably of the type with positive safety or “failsafe”. In other words, it is advantageously configured for letting through the coolant liquid in the exchanger in the case of an operating fault.

According to the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3, the device includes a pump 9 for circulating the coolant liquid(s), which is shown here integrated to said regulation device 11, for example mounted and secured to the regulation device. In this case, the regulation device allows modulation of the flow rate of the coolant liquid in the exchanger, with a reduced response time relatively to the drive of the pump.

According to the alternative embodiment of the regulation device 11 of FIG. 8, the chamber 19 includes two inlets 21, 21′ for the coolant liquid at different temperatures, for example an inlet 21 of a liquid L from a low temperature circuit and an inlet 21′ of a liquid from a high temperature circuit L′. The distribution means 12 then comprises a distribution means 29′ of the inlet 21, 21′ of each of said liquids in the chamber 19, this in addition to said distribution means of the liquid 29 in the chamber between the first and second outlet 23, 25 of the chamber. It may also comprise a sensor 39 for the temperature of the liquid in the chamber, so as to produce in the chamber a mixing of said liquids L, L′ at a determined temperature, which allows additional regulation of the exchanger according to the temperature of the coolant liquid.

According to the alternative embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, the regulation device 11 is dual and includes two chambers 19, as described earlier, each containing a coolant liquid at a determined temperature from the mixing of both liquids L and L′, respectively from a low temperature circuit and from a high temperature circuit. The exchanger may be with two stages 40, each of the chambers being configured for feeding one of the stages 40 of the exchanger with one of the coolant liquids at a determined temperature.

The invention thus provides a possibility for regulating accurately and rapidly a heat exchanger, in particular a motor vehicle engine charge air cooler, in a fine adjustment of the flow rate and optionally of the temperature of the coolant liquid circulating in the exchanger. 

1. A device for regulating the circulation of a coolant liquid for a heat exchanger, in particular the motor vehicle engine charge air cooler, said device including a body configured so as to be attached to said exchanger, said body defining at least one chamber for circulation of the liquid, said device further comprising a means for distributing said liquid in the chamber giving the possibility of modulating the temperature and/or the flow rate of the coolant liquid in the exchanger.
 2. The device for regulating the circulation of a coolant liquid for a heat exchanger according to claim 1, said body comprising at least one inlet for said liquid in the chamber, a first and second outlets of said liquid of the chamber, said first outlet being configured so as to be connected to the inlet of the exchanger, said device being configured so as to allow the coolant liquid to by-pass at least partly the exchanger through said second outlet, said distribution means being configured for carrying out distribution of the coolant liquid between said first and second outlets of the chamber.
 3. The device for regulating the circulation of a coolant liquid for a heat exchanger according to claim 2, including a bypass conduit connected to said second outlet and configured so as to be connected to the outlet of the exchanger.
 4. The device for regulating the circulation of a coolant liquid for a heat exchanger according to claim 1, comprising an actuator of said distribution means, bound to a set regulation value of the flow rate and/or of the temperature of said liquid in the exchanger.
 5. The device for regulating the circulation of a coolant liquid for a heat exchanger according to claim 4, wherein said actuator is with an electric and/or pneumatic control.
 6. The device for regulating the circulation of a coolant liquid for a heat exchanger according to claim 1, including a pump for circulating the liquid.
 7. The device for regulating the circulation of a coolant liquid for a heat exchanger according to claim 1, wherein said body comprises two inlets for coolant liquids L, L′ of different temperatures in the chamber, said distribution means being configured so as to carry out in the chamber a mixing of said liquids L, L′ at a determined temperature.
 8. A heat exchanger comprising a device for regulating the circulation of a coolant liquid for a heat exchanger according to claim
 1. 9. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, including a heat exchange bundle, said bundle being configured so as to allow inflow and outflow of said coolant liquid on a same side of said bundle.
 10. The heat exchanger according to claim 9, wherein the device is configured so as to be connected to the exchanger at said same side.
 11. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, including at least two boxes, one for inflow of the liquid into the exchanger and the other one for outflow of the liquid from the exchanger, said device being configured so as to be positioned between said two boxes for inflow and outflow of liquid in the exchanger.
 12. The heat exchanger according to claim 11, wherein said device is configured so as to be integrated to said boxes.
 13. The heat exchanger according to claim 11, comprising a lid configured so as to be assembled to the bundle at said same side, said lid defining said boxes for inflow and outflow of liquid and said chamber of the regulation device.
 14. The heat exchanger according to claim 8, wherein said regulation device is dual and includes two of said chambers able to each contain a coolant liquid at a determined temperature, and the exchanger is with two stages, each of the chambers being configured for feeding one of the stages of the exchanger with one of the coolant liquids at a determined temperature.
 15. An air admission module comprising a heat exchanger according to claim
 8. 